Actor Rairin Sugita attended a viewing party for the final episode of the serial television drama "Bakebake" (NHK General, Monday-Saturday 8:00 AM, etc.) held at NHK Matsue Broadcasting Station (Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture) on March 27. He spoke about his impressions of the drama and his feelings about the character he played, Jo Nishikiori.
Approximately 70 fans attended the event. Sugita commented, "Watching the final episode together with everyone in Shimane, I laughed, cried, and was deeply moved in those short 15 minutes. It was a truly luxurious experience."
Sugita, who played Jo Nishikiori, the younger brother of Yuichi Nishikiori (Tommy Bastow ), a student of Heaven (Tommy Basto) and said to be the most brilliant student in Matsue, said, "When playing Jo Nishikiori, I never forgot my older brother. I would think about what my brother would do, and I felt inadequate because I wasn't his older brother... but it was fun to play the part where my feelings changed to the point where I felt I had to become like my brother."
Regarding the "Kumamoto arc," he reflected, "The story's setting shifted to Kumamoto, and Jo joined the Matsuno family circle. Acting alongside Otoki (Akari Takaishi), Tsukasanosuke(Takashi Okabe), and Ofumi (Chizuru Ikewaki), I felt they were a great family on set, and I felt that again when I watched the broadcast. I think the warmth of the family was conveyed to the viewers as well."
"Bakebake has become a very important work to me. The broadcast has ended, but I would be happy if it remains in everyone's hearts forever. Today is my first time in Matsue. I have wanted to come here ever since we were filming the drama, so I am very happy. The sunset is beautiful, the city is lovely, and I often see posters for the drama, so I am happy to feel that this drama is loved," she said.
The "viewing party for the final episode" was also attended by Mr. Koizumi Bon, the great-grandson of Yakumo Koizumi and director of the Yakumo Koizumi Memorial Museum (Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture).
